St Pauls Cathedral, London

Take the long walk up to the Whispering Dome. If you're there with a friend stand on opposites sides of the Dome. Facing each other (and NOT the wall) whisper to each other. You'll be able to hear each other perfectly! It really is quite fun! However, it people are talking to each other in the Dome it makes it quite hard to hear your buddy.

You will also quite clearly hear the attendands whispering "No pictures please!" at everybody trying to take pictures :)

You will see people whispering into the metal plates on the wall. The metal plates are not the to whisper into but were placed there for lasers to aim at while measuring the foundation.

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We went to St. Paul's cathedral, however once we saw how much it was to get inside we settled with just taking a quick peek from the entrance and a walk around the church. I can't remember how much it was to get inside but I think it was about $20. I've seen many European churches and Cathedrals in my life time I didn't think missing this one was such a big deal.

A church dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD. The current Cathedral, started in 1669, is the fourth and was built after a fire destroyed 4/5th of all of London in 1666, destroying 13,200 houses and 89 churches (including the St. Paul's Cathedral).

St Paul’s has been the stage for many important events in English history such as the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria, King George V; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth; the wedding of Charles to Lady; and the Golden Jubilee of the Queen.

When you enter and see the dome from the inside it may look strange, it’s smaller and lower than you probably expected. Between the inner and outer domes is a brick cone, which supports the 850-ton lantern.

Climb 259 spiral steps and check out the Whispering Gallery in the interior of the dome, it’s an acoustic marvel where even the faintest whisper can be heard clearly on the opposite side. Sit on one side, have someone sit on the opposite side, and whisper away. From there a second steep climb leads to the Stone Gallery, opening onto a panoramic view of London. Another 153 steps take you to the Inner Golden Gallery, situated at the top of the inner dome.

After all those steps you are probably tired as heck and wondering why you even wanted to see the city from there. After the heart rate goes back to normal, snap a picture with you at the top. This will be a badge of honor and something to gloat about to friends who didn’t make it

OPEN:
Cathedral Mon.-Sat. 8:30-4, closed occasionally for special services;

Ambulatory, crypt, and gallery Mon.-Sat. 9-5:15. Shop and Crypt Café also Sun. 10:30-5

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St. Paul's is the Cathedral of the Diocese of London. The original site is believed to have been founded by King Ethelred of Kent and was endowed with Tillingham Manor in Essex for Mellitus, Bishop of the East Saxons. It burned down in 675 and was rebuilt only to be destroyed and rebuilt again following a Viking ransacking in 962.

The interior of the cathedral is beautiful. A seperate admission fee is charged to climb to the top of the dome but the climb and the views are well worth your efforts.

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Oh my oh my, where do I begin, this beautiful Cathedral, known as St. Pauls, is a standing point for several historical events. As the main cathedral of London, it stands out for activities that have occured in the past, funerals, end of war peace proceedures and much more. It is usually open daily until 4pm, although you can definitely check while you are there. However, our visit was approximately 8 Euros, we went there during the week at about 1pm. Don't miss out on this beautiful work of art and long standing part of history that has stood here for over 300 years!!

In one of the most representative icons of the city with the Parliament and the Big Ben.
This neoclassic cathedral was built between 1675 and 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren after the big fire.
It´s opened every day from 8:30 to 16:00, the galeries only from 9:30 to 16:00. There are tour every half an hour, at 11:00, 11:30, 13:00, 13:30 and 14:30.

The St. Pauls cathedral, built by the famous architect Christopher Wren in 1708 and miraculously not destroyed in the WW 2 - bombings, can easily compete with St. Peter in Rome both in size and beauty. The main church of the Anglican belief. Many famous Englishmen and -women are buried here: Florence Nightingale, Lord Nelson, Wellington, Alexander Fleming (you can visit their graves in the crypt of St. Pauls).

There is also a panoramic viewpoint - on the way, you can appreciate the ceiling paintings of the central cupola. Strictly no photography inside the church.

This is where half of the world saw Charles and Di tie the knot in 1981.

It's famous dome, the second largest in the world, after St Peter's in Rome.

The Light of the World by Holman Hunt is the most famous work of art, but it also contains fabulous carvings, statues and mosaics.

Remember to speak quietly in the whispering gallery, words spoken close to it's walls are carried to the other side of the dome.

Open for sightseeing Monday-Saturday, 0830-1630, last admission 1600.
But for services only on Sunday. If you wish to attend services you will be allowed to enter.

There is a Cathedral Shop (Crypt) which has a wide selection of gifts and souvenirs.

There is also the Crypt Cafe and Restaurant open daily but in December hours vary.

There is disabled access located on the south side of the Cathedral (Mon-Fri 0900-1715)